Case Number 14320: Small Claims Court

LEGION OF SUPER HEROES: VOLUME 3

The Charge

Long live the Legion! -- Superman

The Case

I read a few Legion of Super-Heroes comics as a kid. They detail
Superman's (or sometimes Superboy's) 31st-century adventures alongside a team of
second-tier heroes like Lightning Boy and Saturn Girl. I never understood the
point. Watching Legion of Super Heroes, an animated retooling of the
comic book, did nothing to clarify the intended appeal.

That said, I'm not the target demographic for the show. Produced for Kids'
WB, Legion of Super Heroes reformulates the comic book as a punky teen
adventure series. As a show for kids and tweens, it's not bad. Superman is fresh
from Smallville and still discovering his purpose in the world. Not having seen
Volumes One or Two, I'm not sure how he found his way to the 31st century, but
this cluster of episodes ends with his return to the Kent farm only moments
after he left, having gained experience in heroics that he'll take with him to
Metropolis. During his adventures in the future, the young Superman teams up
with a bevy of Legionnaires. The primary players include Brainiac 5 (a
descendent of the original, evil Brainiac), Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Phantom
Girl, Bouncing Boy, and Triplicate Girl. Scores of additional mostly nameless
costumed crusaders chip in to fight evil.

Volume Three of Legion of Super Heroes contains the last five
episodes (in broadcast, not production order) of the series' first season:

The set kicks off with a light-hearted episode called "The
Substitutes." The Legion is auditioning new members. Among the rejects is a
group of sad sack misfits with lame superpowers -- Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid,
Infectious Lass (with a name like that, I bet she doesn't date much), Porcupine
Pete, and Stone Boy -- who prove their limited mettle and become the Legion of
Substitute Heroes. Matters are slightly more serious in "Child's Play"
and "Chain of Command." The former episode involves Superman's battle
against a youthful alien wizard, during which the Young Adult of Steel discovers
that magic can kick his butt. In "Chain of Command," the Legion must
unite to help Lightning Lad save his home world just as former Legion leader
Cosmic Boy returns and starts throwing his weight around.

The two-parter "Sundown" is the highlight of the set. Tensions are
high as the Legion must team with their enemies, The Fatal Five, in order to
protect the Earth's sun from a devastating weapon called the Sun Eater. Of
Volume Three's five episodes, these two find the best balance between
kid-friendly silliness and compelling action.

The show's character design is in keeping with the WB's other kiddy
superhero show, Teen Titans. The animation is smooth and articulate for a
television production. Colors are vivid and fully saturated in a pleasing full
frame transfer.

The stereo audio track is flawless but unimpressive.

There are no extras.

Legion of Super Heroes is faithful enough to its source to satisfy
most fans of the comic book. Its self-conscious silliness and odd futuristic
conceit are less likely to appeal to adult fans of classic DC animated universe
shows like Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The
Animated Series. The gentler, less violent storylines make it a homerun for
young children.